"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

Washington, D.C.October 3, 1863This
is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day
of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued
many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered
government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah
Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on
28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a
National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed
that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt
in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the
States; it now needs National recognition and authoritative fixation,
only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The
document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of
Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864,
letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this
document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the
original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet
member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward
on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union
troops.

By the President of the United States of America.A Proclamation.

The
year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the
blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties,
which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source
from which they come, others have been added, which are of so
extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften
even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful
providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled
magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to
invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with
all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected
and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre
of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by
the advancing armies and navies of the Union.Needful
diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful
industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the
shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our
settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious
metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population
has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made
in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing
in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to
expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.No
human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these
great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who,
while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless
remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should
be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart
and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my
fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who
are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart
and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of
Thanksgiving andPraise to our
beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them
that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such
singular deliverance's and blessings, they do also, with humble
penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to
His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or
sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably
engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand
to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be
consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquillity and Union.In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done
at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the
Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Since we celebrated Thanksgiving early we are freeish Thursday. Now I am waking up very early and making 20 lbs of mashed potatoes, and 60 deviled eggs for a community shelter/church that is hosting Thanksgiving for those in need. I have never done something like this before and I am happy that our plans made this possible.

Monday~ I put final touches on centerpieces for the reception. I hemmed clothing for the other daughter-in-law to be, as well as Fourth.

Tuesday~ I painted the signs for the chairs for the special couple.

I also took down Thanksgiving decor and put up Hanukkah decorations.

This is from last year...I will take a few for this year!

I went to town with Fourth as she worked. I visited with her boss, then
ran around town finalizing a few more things for wedding. I did something I have not done in many years. I bought myself something nicety nice for the wedding. Oh...and shoes and a purse~new. I honestly don't know when I have done that last. I ran to another store to pick up a shirt and tie for Second as he has been working so much. I met with the lovely to be bride and confirmed things I had reserved for Friday pickup. I went to the grocery and did something else I haven't done in a while. I bought frozen rolls, as I have so much going on, I do not think I have time to make 60 rolls for the reception. Oh and while at the grocery, I ran into an old friend. It was so nice as we talked Bible in the produce section for so long. My hurry and worries faded as my final stop in town was closed with calming talk!

Wednesday~I am cleaning the house. It looks like I am preparing for a wedding!! Bill is picking up the tux for Third, bringing boxes for me to transport table decor, making sure Second's dress pants are ready to go(or he will bring them home for me), and spending his final day of work before the holiday. Lighting the first candle of Hanukkah.

Thursday~waking before farmer's hours. Peeling a ton of potatoes. Peeling a bunch of eggs. Delivering and helping with food. Meeting with Second and Fourth for something fun. Relaxing at home. Lighting the second candle of Hanukkah.

Friday~ Picking up a few items for reception already reserved. Not in the bustle of Black Friday shopping as it is a business far from the chaotic stores. Coming home. Relaxing with Bill and Fourth. First and his sweetie are stopping by. Lighting the third candle of Hanukkah.

Sunday~ waking early starting food for reception. Running to town to set up reception. Coming home picking up food, dressing, and going to WEDDING! Having a lovely day. Lighting fifth candle of Hanukkah.

Well that's the week in a nutshell. Wait until the following week!! If this week begins a new season in our lives, you will be amazed at what the next week brings. It's so powerful to realize that yes, indeed

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1

Sunday, November 24, 2013

We woke to almost 4 inches of snow! Bill started our outside journey by throwing a snowball at me and let me say this...I returned fire! So you can properly visualize two old goofs outside in the snow, I was wearing Bill's socks, slip on shoes, capri pants (Bill's socks are over my knees), and must look silly to any genuine person that is from a snowy region. We did not have more than a trace last year, and our real last snow was in 2011 so this was a delight to this former Midwest girl!

Friday, November 22, 2013

It finally feels like fall here. It is more than the chill in the air. The leaves are almost all down from the trees, and the air is different. I am thankful that we have the woodstove and we have ample wood for the winter.

On to some other random things. In 9 days the farm family will be celebrating a wedding! Wow...lots of prep has been ongoing, with crafting, creating, and giggling. I was asked recently if I thought I would be married 25 years when I married. I said, no, not really. When I was a bride, I honestly did not think forward.

But now, Bill and I have a challenge in front of us. The people in the above photo have been married 81 years and currently hold the title of the Longest Married Couple in the US. I wonder...will Bill and I live to 101? It would be pretty neat, because we could see how the children and their families turn out, as well as the grandchildren(to be).

Off on another thought~I must share that one romantic thing that Bill has done was the other day. He made a mix CD that had songs he could sing along to, for me. There is nothing like driving with your sweetie and he is serenading you~oh and in Spanish!

Randomness about the goofs.
Oldest son has a few weeks left in the academy.
Second completed another training level with the fire department. I remember when he was about six, we bought two fireman suits with helmets for the boys to play with. He used to wear it all the time...

Second on left

It looked pretty much like this, except the helmet was red.

Third~well since I mentioned red, I shall say Third bought himself a new truck this week. Well new to him and it is red. He now has a F-150 to call his own, well kind of, as in a few days he will be a married man!

Fourth continues to work and has been on the side tutoring a young girl. She amazes me, as she comes home after her teaching, and reviews what she has done. I am so proud of her. I read her status from Facebook this morning and laughed so hard that I am sharing it here, "I cleaned my car today in case anyone needs 37 half empty water bottles."

Now on to other things. Hanukkah is just around the corner. I have shared that we on the farm have been celebrating Hanukkah for a few years now.

I made this Hanukkiyah a few years ago. I have a few new items I have made for Hanukkah this year that I will share in an upcoming post. For those that wonder if the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) is in the Bible, read John 10:22...and it is amazing because the entire celebration is about the miracle of the light and the temple. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

With that verse celebrating Hanukkah takes on a whole new meaning and one can of rededicate their temples to God and allow the Light to shine through, during this celebration.

My closing random thought is this. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were deceived. Satan did not take something random and deceive them. No, he took the words of God, and spun them. When we as those that are believers consider things that we do, we should audit our beliefs through God's Holy Word. Satan knows it quite well (read Matthew 4), and with Satan's knowledge of the word, do you suppose for just a moment, he has spun the truth just a bit...and has you off the mark? I am going to write about this more as time goes on, but consider this~instead of wondering what would Jesus do, why not consider what did Jesus do? That would be a great template for 21st century Christians...as we do not need to wonder what he would do. We have the perfect example in His Word, and with John 1:1-3, we know that Jesus was with God in the Beginning...and is the Word.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

always a Buckeye cookie fan! The first time I had Buckeye cookies I was about 9. Oh I was in love from that moment. I made Buckeyes the other day and I thought I would share the recipe.

What's a Buckeye~some may ask?

Well if you ask an Ohioan...you will most likely be told that a Buckeye(or the Buckeyes) are the greatest football team in the nation. If you ask a Michiganite (Michigan) resident, you may hear a tad bit of disagreement.

For me...I was both, so the truth of the matter is this, I love peanut butter when it is covered in chocolate.

Friday, November 15, 2013

never. As anyone with adult children understands, coordinating schedules are quite a task. Looking back when we did not have our oldest here for Thanksgiving because he was in Afghanistan, we realized a day is made when the family gathers! With that mindset, we planned and then celebrated Thanksgiving last Saturday.

This year Thanksgiving was rather unique and we had many firsts to make note of.

For the first time ever, we had all adult children attend the celebration.

For the first time ever, we had two tables for the holiday.

For the first time ever, we had soon to be daughters-in-law

with us.

For the first time ever~we had one of our son's soon to be in-laws

share this special day.

For the first time ever, we celebrated Thanksgiving with the A/C

on during the day.

For the first time ever, after our Thanksgiving celebration,

we all gathered around the firepit and enjoyed each others

company.

Oh and for the first time ever the parents of the groom to be(us),

and the parents of the bride to be (the new in-laws) were the last

ones at the celebration!

This year, in spite of the times, we on the farm have so much to be

thankful for.

We are thankful for God and His Son.

We are thankful that our children are growing into the people they are.

Monday, November 11, 2013

as my idea of the photo and what happens are usually far apart! The subjects were goofy as ever and I ended up taking about 50 photos. I am going to share a post soon about before digital and how many rolls of film it took to get the annual photo. Now I smile, but then I wanted the best photo to send to all the family all over the country.

About Me

I have been married to my best friend for nearly 29 years and we live on a small farm in the middle of the desert.
We have four children (now adults) three daughters-in-law, two grandsons and look forward to many more added to the fold.